Drug Possession Lawyer in Winston-Salem, NC
While simple drug possession may seem like a harmless crime, it is prosecuted aggressively in North Carolina and the penalties are severe. Whether you’ve been caught with an illicit drug or a prescription drug that you aren’t legally prescribed, you could be facing a lengthy jail sentence, steep fines, and extensive probation with community service. The drug possession lawyers at B. Jeffrey Wood, Attorney at Law represent clients in misdemeanor and felony drug cases in the Winston-Salem area. Our drug charge attorneys will fight for your rights and freedoms if you’ve been accused of drug possession.
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Drug Possession Laws & Penalties
The penalties for a drug possession conviction depend on:
- The type of drug you were found with
- The amount you were found with
- What officers suspect you were doing with the drugs
Charges are more severe if you are accused of having the intention to distribute the drugs than to use them personally. Penalties can be increased if you were caught with illegal drugs in a school zone or if you had a minor in the vehicle with you when you were stopped and found in possession.
Drugs are classified into 6 “schedules”. Schedule 1 drugs carry the most severe penalties for possession convictions. Heroin, LSD, mushrooms, and PCP are all Schedule 1 drugs. Cocaine, amphetamines, fentanyl, and many prescription opiates are classified as Schedule 2 drugs, with penalties just slightly less severe than Schedule 1. Schedule 6 drugs, the least severe, include marijuana and THC-based products.
Possession of marijuana in small amounts has been decriminalized by the state. That means being caught with less than ½ oz of marijuana will only lead to a $200 fine with no possibility of jailtime. Anything over ½ oz, however, will be punishable by jail sentence. If you need a knowledgeable marijuana lawyer to help you avoid harsh penalties for possession, get in touch with us.
You Have Rights that Are Worth Protecting; We’ll Stand Up for You In and Out of Court
Law enforcement officers are often overzealous and infringe on citizens’ rights when they make traffic stops and search for drugs. It’s possible that evidence was obtained through unlawful search and seizure or that there was never probable cause to stop you in the first place. These are just a few examples of potential defenses for a drug possession case.
If you would like to speak to an experienced drug possession lawyer about your case, contact B. Jeffrey Wood, Attorney at Law today. Call (336) 722-5700 or fill out our online contact form below to get started.